Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-11-10

Cneery laugh That uItle 1nulcared q
damaged anatomy.
Do not imagine all this conversation
was carried on uninterruptedly. All
the time Annie was CHANGING up and
down the track, keeping Il sharp look
out for trains. while her nimble fingers
piled the knitting-needlcs on what was
to be warm mitten for winter wear.
Suddenly, IN the midst of sentence,
she would start up. seize pai- of
gauntlet gloves lying on the window
ledge, and step out to throw a switch or
signal that all was clear. There was
nothing of rush about her movements;
while quick, they were collected and
showed Il cool, well-balanced head.
l referred to this once when she
came in, and asked if she never be-
came excited or nervous when several
trains requiring to be switched on diff
ferent tracks were arriving in quick
succession.
20 no; fifty trains would not make
me nervous" was the calm reply. II
have a cool head. When many trains
are coming. l tend to the main line
and transfer switches and let the others
wait, or leave them for the switchmen
to look after
''Of how many switches have you
charger"
Eleven now. For time before
father was killed we had fifteen. They
are the most important switches in the
yard. 1t was much harder work for
me then than now. Father was so
easy to get excited, and then he would
forget. l had to watch him and do my
own work besides. Now L have only
myself to look after
.'Do you not often get tired of the
work?'
"Well. I'm not dead stuck on it, and
would take another job too quick if
could get it." Annie occasionally
drops into slang. but 1 have been
brought up to the work, and there's
nothing else could do where 1 could
earn as much. Sometimes ladies talk
to me and some say they would not do
it for any thing, and others again
praise me. l don't know which are
right. All know is that am used
to the switches and don't mind, except
at times"
The tone of voice was cheerful, al
though quiet, and the words came as
the conviction arrived at after a careful
weighing of all the advantages and
disadvantages.
''Do you not suffer from cold in the
winter?"
80, yes, sometimes. The wind has
such a sweep here; but 1 dodge in
and out of the shanty. if it is only for a
minute, to warm my fingers. The cold
1 don't mind so much as the heat
These tracks draw the sun so. 1t is
very hot here at times, and then I have
awful headaches"
You don't give up?"
II can't; there's no one to take my
place. was the quiet reply.
''Does your sister practice telegraphy
nowp"
mo; she was taken sick; then mother
was sick and needed some one to help
her with the housekeeping"
"Then you support the familyP"
Eyes" with little laugh. The
next moment Annie was outside setting
a switch right for q freight train that
went laundering by. AS the caboose
passed, a shout of Hello, Annie!'
brought IN answering smile and wave
of the hand from the girl.
They all speak to her. and she has
a pleasant word for every one." said
the uncle, and l had occasion to notice
the truth of the remark during the
course of my visit.
Were you not frightened when the
Polish rioters came through the yard
last year?" asked rs Annie returned.
"Well. wasn't frightened, but l
didn't feel exactly comfortable" was
the naive reply. II was out in the
yard when l saw them coming.
couldn't leave, as there were the
switches to throw. One fellow called
out to me that should quit work. l
told HIM to mind his own business.
Then great big Pole attempted to put
his arms around me. 1 cried: Get
away from me. you great nasty Polackr
and gave him such a slap in the face
that he staggered Off The others
laughed and made no attempt to touch
me when 1 went through them to set a
switch for a train that was coming.
After that l went into the shanty and
the crowd went off toward the city;
that was the last saw of Them
This was very simple, modest re-
cital of an event that few men would
have cared to have been concerned in.
The mob was made up of Polish labor
ers who were flushed with victory at
the West Milwaukee shops. and had
announced their intention of driving off
every workman found employed any
where. 1t was composed of the same
element that two days later made the
attack on Bay View what resulted so
disastrously to themselves.
Only once did Annie dodge a cues